Why do we drink champagne to celebrate the new year?

Why do we cheer with champagne on New Year’s Eve?

Have you ever wondered why we drink champagne on New Year’s Eve? Why not wine? Why not whiskey? Well, like most things in life: the answer lies in the trail of money.

Champagne on New Year’s Eve

The explosion of champagne dates back to the 16th century. European aristocrats popped bubble bottles at their royal parties, turning the drink into an “elite” product to drink and drink.

It was even the drink chosen by Louis XIV. It really was a status symbol.

Kolleen M. Guy, an associate professor of history at the University of Texas at San Antonio and author of “When Champagne Became French,” says she eventually moved from religious to secular celebration.

“After the French Revolution, it became part of the secular rituals that replaced the ancient religious rituals,” Guy told Life’s Little Mysteries. “One could ‘baptize a ship’ without any priest, for example, using the holy water of champagne.” The drink opened at weddings, baptisms and other religious events, he said.

As production accelerated, the price of champagne decreased and producers began to market it to the middle class. It wasn’t cheap, but it was affordable for special occasions. Champagne production soared from 300,000 to 20 million bottles annually between 1800 and 1850.

In the 19th century, the bubble became a global tradition associated with joyful occasions.

“In a secular society, we want to mark the joy and holiness of the occasion,” Guy said. “Champagne does this symbolically, but also visually, as it overflows with abundance and joy.”

Encouragement to this. Stay safe!

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